Home for the heteronomous

Wednesday Food: Orange Basil Cake

Apologies for the belated post. I will keep it short– this loaf cake is completely outstanding. With the upcoming holiday I was searching for a dessert that was portable, could withstand heat, and that wouldn’t leave me with cartoon moths flying out of my pockets. Orange basil loaf cake meets all criteria.

The only ingredients I didn’t already have at home were fresh berries which I simply used for garnish. Think strawberry shortcake, grown-up.

Orange Basil Loaf Cake

(Adapted from Foodiefarmgirl.blogspot.com)

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter, softened

1-1/4 cups granulated sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream

1/2 cup orange juice

2 Tablespoons finely chopped or grated orange zest

3 Tablespoons basil, chiffonade

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

seasonal berries for garnish

Heat your oven to 375ºF.

In a mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the wet ingredients, zest, and basil and beat until combined. Add dry ingredients until combined.

Pour batter into a greased 9″x5″ loaf pan and bake in oven 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool 15 minutes and carefully remove from pan. Garnish with berries and basil leaves.